Silver Sisters

A huge crack sounded above Mai; as Lygawa crashed her own head into the other silver dragon's, sending them both scrambling backward a fraction.

{You dare strike me!}

{Sister... please back off!}

They carefully eyed the other intensely.

{We have never once fought, even over food...}

The other spread her wings slightly to mirror Lygawa's stance.

{I will not let anything happen to this woman!}

Both then stayed perfectly still, with Mai stuck between and below them, unwilling to move at all, to either distract them or get further in their way.

{Back me up Nullawhy...}

Lygawa unusually asked.

[I... don't wish to get caught between you two... but...]

She was obviously tentative about stepping near the two quicker ones, but also stood at the ready.

Ryoniya slightly hesitated then, glancing between the two with a little unease.

{You two would... work together?}

[On this we would!]

Lygawa pressed forward slightly, sensing her sister's trepidations about taking on both bigger dragons.

The standoff eventually ended as the smallest slowly backed away, dropping her wings to her back and putting away her shiny sharp teeth.

{Thank-you sister.}

Having been 'found out' there was no reason to stay hidden, so Mai climbed out from her spot between the stones, to stand upon them, but before she could speak, the newest, still hostile, reptile asked the others of her kind.

{Who is this? And why do they stand so calmly amongst our mighty presence?}

Lygawa proudly introduced the small human before her.

{This is Mai... Mai Misaki; a fine human home owner, baker of treats, 'fore-seer' and one who has defeated Grasis...}

{What?!?}

Ryoniya's curious side-glance turned into a wide eyed disbelieving stare.

[All this is true.]

Nullawhy affirmed.

{This one... tiny human... how?}

The silver dragon shook her head with disbelief.

"Trade secret, I'm afraid... Nice to meet you, Miss Ryoniya."

Mai finally spoke smiling carefully towards the latest dragon to be acquainted to.

Ryoniya used her long neck to peer closer, while Lygawa hovered overhead protectively.

{Who would have thought a mere... human was capable...}

{She is also responsible for saving my life, yes... on two occasions now.}

The bigger silver dragon continued to boast about Mai's accomplishments.

{You lie to me so! This tiny weakling couldn't save itself, let alone you!}

{I would not lie to you sister!}

Lygawa flapped her big wings.

The other slightly backed up again, but kept a watchful gaze.

{She has the 'fore-sight' ability, and so predicted the landslide, thus preventing my burial...}

The older sister gave a quick tilt and squinted, possibly trying to 'see the truth'.

{Why would one of... these help a better Dragon?}

{It is not only her who assists us, others do too - as it is her village I now reside in.}

{No! It cannot be...}

That news gave her an unseen blow, driving her further away in shock.

"I look out and care for all creatures, not just my own kind."

Mai added, making sure Lygawa didn't get too carried away about giving an overly glowing impression again.

{Not to curry some favor from a better being?}

"No, I did it for a friend."

The smaller one stared daggers at the human, still evidently untrusting of her.

{Sister, we may be stronger, quicker and bigger than these Humans, but I have found we are not any better... as some of us are far worst then they are.}

The dragon reflected upon her younger sister's words carefully, while Mai wondered if these two had a few encounters with others like Grasis, or worse.

{Mai here is full of kindness, understanding and intelligence, and I am quite glad to have come to know her well.}

Ryoniya only looked on, remaining quiet.

It was slightly difficult to look away from the intent state Mai was under, but she looked to Lygawa who still stood on guard.

"Are you alright?"

{I am fine...}

She didn't take her sights from her older sister.

{We shall be leaving then...}

{Huh, why?}

Ryoniya glanced Lygawa's way and dropped her tail.

{Your shelter is... gone, and I would not wish to impose any further.}

The littler silver one seemed reluctant to let them go, but eventually agreed.

{Very well then...}

Ryoniya kept her bright-blue eyes on Mai intently again, making her feel a little uncomfortable.

Lygawa offered both front 'hands' for Mai, obviously shy about showing her sister 'the human' climb on top of her. So Mai settled herself down between her knitted silver claws, sitting snugly between her softer than expected foot pads, as they rose gracefully from the ground.

A few flaps up and they turned away, and then with some more they were away.

[Why do we fly this direction Lygawa?]

Nullawhy asked softly a little after they'd already departed.

{I am sure she'll still be watching us, and I intend for us to not lead her straight back to the village...}

They continued to climb toward the clouds.

{She will no doubt try to challenge you Mai, if given the chance...}

Lygawa looked down to Mai.

"Wise call..."

I'd rather not take on another lightning quick dragon anytime soon... or ever!

{She has always been particularly over protective of me, not that I need protection. It was many only us two, as we had to fend for ourselves from a young age...}

"With a back-story like that, I'm surprised you two ever separated."

Mai commented.

{We had a... disagreement...}

She went quiet for a little again, but went on by herself.

{That was the true reason why I left, then wandered the lands before I moved into the forest...}

"Oh..."

I feel kind of awkward now...

"And now you've had your first ever real clash with her over me...?"

Lygawa slowly shook her head.

{I think she secretly fears Humans, after the way our father came to his end...}

"Is it alright if I ask what happened to him?"

Mai said not wanting to step to hastily on something sensitive.

{No, it is long in the past... We were quite young when a hurt human came to near our nest, but instead of simply ending him - our father took pity and went to return him to a human town... but then never returned.}

Mai was sure that tale wouldn't have improved relations between the two species.

"I see why she would feel the way she does then."

[It is a recent story of warning told amongst other Dragons.]

Nullawhy added, probably having heard it before, judging from her first reactions she'd had towards Mai.

They all went quiet for a while as they flicked over the many small separated white clouds, now having changed direction back toward the little isolated village.

"Alright, no more sad stories... how about we all go on a little holiday?"

{A hollowed day?}

Lygawa had obviously never heard of it before.

"No - uh, a day without any work - for having rest and relaxation..."

Actually that's just like any other day for these two....

"We can all go see and do something different, for a nice change... okay?"

[Sure.]

{Sounds good!}

"Great! Now I think I even know of the perfect place for all of us..."